tompkins



Patented Apr. II, I899. W. S. TOMPKINS.

CATCHER MITTEN.

(Application filed. May 5, 1898.)

(No Model.)

INVE/V TUH THE NDRRKS PETERS cov mwoumo. wasumamn, n c.

' Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same. Fig.

- ing through which the padding is inserted.

facilities on either right or left hand.

llnrrnn STATES Parent \VILLIAM SHOOT TOMPKINS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CATCHERS MITTEN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 622,733, dated April 11, 1899. Application filed May 5, 1898. Serial No. 679,778. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM Snoor TOMP- KINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, (Brooklyn,) Kings county, and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Catchers Mittens, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of handcoverings which are used by base-ball players and commonly known as catchers mitten, and the object of my improvements is to provide a mitten which may be used with equal A further object of my improvements is to provide means whereby the padding of the mitten may be easily renewed.

The invention consists in certain other novel features, which will be fully hereinafter described,- and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a rear elevation, of the mitten.

3 is a cross section through line'X X, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 1s a fragmentary detail view of the open- Similar letters refer to corresponding throughout the several views.

A represents the padded body of the mitten and which is surrounded by a marginal edge A, preferably of the form shown. B represents the rear face of the mitten, and O the hand-retaining glove attached thereto. This glove is provided with five fingers of approximately the same size and shape, so as to fit either right or left hand, the exterior fingers being alternately used as thumbs. All five of these fingers are arranged side by side and are very near the same length, the three central ones being substantially so. The two outer fingers, which are intended to receive the thumb of either the right or left hand, are but slightly shorter than the other three fingers, and hence the glove is adapted to be used upon either the right or left hand alike.

In order to enable the player to lace the mitten from either right or left side, the glove is further provided with two lacing-hooks C, situated one on each side of the opening of the glove.

parts D represents an endless lacing-cord running through four eyelets E,said cord being adapted to normally engage the hooks above referred to. For the purpose of facilitating the lacing the cord is provided with two stops, which consist of plates placed loosely upon the cord and which are adapted to serve as handholds in quickly adjusting the cords D D.

F represents the opening through which the padding is inserted. This opening is composed of a slit extending across the rear face of the padded bodyand is preferably situated adjacent to that portion which comes in con= tact with the palm of the hand in order to protect the opening from exposure,with c011- sequent danger of spreading apart when the mitten is in use. The opening is closed by means of a lacing-cord G,which engages a se ries of eyelets H, situated on each side of the opening. In order to prevent any padding to accidentally work its way out through the opening, the same is provided on its inner side ,Wlllh a' tongue or shield I.

K represents the front portion of the mitten and which I provide with a supplemental horseshoe-shaped padding L, situated adja* cent to the sides and lower end of said front portion. This padding greatly promotes the rigidity and durability of the mitten and protects the player from the danger of having the ball glance off toward the wrist. It also aids materially in the retention of the ball, as it forms a pocket extending from the wrist and side portions toward the center or palm portion of the mitten.

In order to further promote the durability of the mitten, I reinforce the front portion with an additional center piece M and which may be easily renewed when worn out.

i The advantages of the above features are obvious.

By having the marginal edge with the shape shown a greater catching-surface is obtained, and the danger of having the mitten split is entirely eliminated.

Aside from the great convenience of hav ing the mitten capable of being used on either right or left hand, such a change distributes the Wear of the mitten and consequently insures the greatest possible durability.

I am aware that catchers mittens provided with means for renewing the padding have been constructed before. The methods here tofore employed for-that purpose have, how-v is amply protected while the mitten is in use.

I do not desire to limit myself to the particular construction herein shown and described, as I am aware that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a catchers mitten, a padded body, and a hand-retaining glove attached to the rear face of the body, the glove being provided with the three central fingers of approximately the same length, and the two outer fingers adapted to fit upon the thumb of either the right or left hand and which fingers are all arranged parallel with each other upon the padded body, substantially as shown. Y

2. In a catchers mitten, a padded body, and a hand-retaining glove attached to the rear face of said body, the three central fingers of the glove being 'of approximately the same length, and the two outer fingers adapted to be used upon the thumb of either the right or left hand, all of which fingers are arranged parallel with each other upon the padded back, combined with means for lacing the glove for either the right or left hand, substantially as described.

3. In a oatchers mitten, a padded body, a

'hand-retainin g glove attached to the rear face of the said body, and provided with the three central fingers which are approximately of the same length, and two outer fingers which are adapted to fit upon the thumb of either the right or left hand, all of which fingers are arranged parallel with each other upon the padded back, combined with a lacing-cord and hooks upon which the cord may be made to catch at either side of the hand, substantially as set forth.

4'. A catchers mitten adapted to be used upon either right or left hand, having a padded body, a hand-retaining glove attached to the rear face of said body, said glove being provided with fingers of approximately the same size and shape, an opening comprising 1 a slit extending through and across said rear face, and situated in the palm portion thereof, said opening'being provided on its inner side with a protecting-shield, and with means for closing the opening, and means for lacing the glove from either right or left side, substantially as set forth.

WILLIAM SIIOO'I TOMPKINS.

Witnesses:

EDWARD SToL'rz, GEO. W. LYONS. 

